Impact armor, hurricane protection net made with different polymers like polyester

ABSTRACT

A wind barrier system adapted is provided. The wind barrier system embodies a plurality of various barrier types to stop flying objections and strong winds from penetrating an opening of a structure. These systemic barriers include webbing of high strength polymers forming lattice arrangements that afford mesh openings of approximately one to four centimeters in surface area. These small mesh openings reinforced by the high-strength webbing prevent flying objects and high winds from penetrating the barrier, while still allow for the passage of airflow therethrough. Furthermore, the barriers are adapted to provide a strong yet removably attachment around the openings through peripheral and corner connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weather safety systems and, more particularly, to a wind barrier system adapted to stop flying objections and strong winds from damaging property and injuring nearby individuals and domesticated animals.

In a hurricane, tornado or other high-wind environments, the most dangerous and damaging elements are the flying objects and debris the strong winds pick up and whip around. For example, some places in the Caribbean have roofs formed from sheet metal; these metal roof components sometimes break off in high-wind situations and act as very sharp flying objects during a hurricane. Current solutions propose barriers of very light material attached in a makeshift manner along the window openings of buildings. These light materials, unfortunately, are but mere curtain that fail to prevent the wind and the resulting flying objects, which can include aluminum panels and pieces of wood, from penetrating said opening. Also, the makeshift manner of attachment can fail under the stress of high winds, rendering current solutions useless.

As can be seen, there is a need for wind barrier system adapted to stop flying objections and strong winds. The wind barrier system embodied in the present invention include webbing of high strength polymers forming lattice arrangements that afford mesh openings of approximately one to four centimeters (cm) in surface area. These small mesh openings reinforced by the high-strength webbing prevent flying objects and high winds from penetrating the barrier, while still allow for the passage of airflow therethrough. Furthermore, the barriers are adapted to provide peripheral portions enabling strong yet temporary connections along the openings of structures a user would be interested in protecting during a high wind environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a wind barrier system includes a barrier comprising a plurality of webbing forming a lattice arrangement defining a plurality of web openings, each web opening having a surface area between one and four square centimeters.

In another aspect of the present invention, the wind barrier system includes a barrier comprising a plurality of high-strength polymer webbing defining a lattice arrangement comprising a plurality of web openings, each web opening having a surface area between one and four square centimeters; a plurality of peripheral portions defining a periphery of the barrier; each peripheral portion providing four corners, each corner defined by an intersection of two of the plurality of peripheral portions; and border webbing having a border width that is three to six times a width of each of the plurality of webbing that substantially comprises the lattice arrangement; a corner attachment operatively associated with each corner; each corner attachment extending between a first end connecting to the corner and a second end adapted to attach to a supporting structure; at least one diagonal webbing element extending between catty-corner corners, wherein each diagonal webbing element is joined to the plurality of webbing, and wherein each diagonal webbing element provides a sleeve engaging the corner attachment; and a plurality of grommets spaced apart along the peripheral portion.

In yet another aspect of the present invention a method of protecting an opening of a structure in a high-wind environment includes fixing at least two structural anchors to the structure, each structural anchor disposed adjacent to opposing upper ends of the opening; providing the above-mentioned wind barrier system; attaching at least two second ends to the at least two structural anchors, respectively; and providing mounting holes outward along the opening they align and engage to substantially all of the grommets.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use, indicated by line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, indicated by line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, indicated by line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a wind barrier system adapted to stop flying objections and strong winds from penetrating a barrier to an opening of a structure. The systemic barrier includes webbing of high strength polymers forming lattice arrangements that afford mesh openings of approximately one to four centimeters (cm) in surface area. These small mesh openings reinforced by the high-strength webbing prevent flying objects and high winds from penetrating the barrier, while still allow for the passage of airflow therethrough. Furthermore, the barriers are adapted to provide a strong yet removably attachment around the openings through peripheral and corner connectors.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may include a high-wind barrier system 100 for structures 12 and 42. Said wind barrier system 100 embody barriers 10, 40, 50, and 60 of various kinds, adapted for different structural and connection types.

Each barrier 10, 40, 50, and 60 provides webbing 14, 46, and/or 64 made from high-strength polymer, such as polyester. The webbing 14 of barrier 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, may be intersecting, generally but not necessarily, in an orthogonal manner, providing a lattice arrangement with 1.5 cm rectangular mesh openings 35. In other words, the mesh openings 35 may have two or four sides having a length of 1.5 cm. This distance, and resulting surface area, of each mesh opening 35 enables the passage of air, but prevents high speed winds and their captured debris and flying objects from penetrating the barrier 10, protecting the inside of the building 12.

In certain embodiments, the intersecting webbing 14 may be interconnected by stitching 22 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Some of the webbing 14 may terminate in pockets 72 along peripheral portions 70 of the barrier 10, 40, 50 and/or 60. Through the pockets 72 engage a cable 24 (steel wire, or equivalent) slid therethrough. At a corner, where two peripheral portions 70 meet, a corner connector 32, such as a ring, may engage the cable 24. A diagonal webbing element 75 may be joined to the intersecting webbing 14 by stitching 22 as it extends from one corner to a catty-corner. The diagonal webbing element 75 may provide a sleeve engaging the corner connector 32.

From this reinforced corner connector 32 may extend a corner attachment 16. The corner attachment 16 may include a turnbuckle 28 extending from a clevis 30 operatively engaging said corner connector 32 to a first screw eye 27. The first screw eye 27 may include an eye drop or equivalent connector. The first screw eye 27 may be adapted to connect to a structural anchor 26, such as a second screw eye or equivalent connector is fixed to the structure 12. Generally, the structural anchor 26 and thus the corner attachments 16 are affixed adjacent to openings 17 (e.g., window and door openings), thereby protecting the interior 20 of said buildings 12. Mounting holes 18 may be provided just outward along the building opening 17 so as to be located along the peripheral portion 70 of the barrier 10 so as to further secure the peripheral portion 70 thereto.

The present invention may provide other barriers 40, 50 and/or 60 adapted for specific structural components and/or weather situations. In one embodiment, the barrier 40 may be adapted for buildings 42 with columns 44, wherein the barrier 40 is adapted to conform to the contour of the column 44, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Hereto, the barrier 40 may include vertical and horizontal webbing elements interconnected by stitching 46, so as to provide a lattice arrangement that for 1.5 cm mesh openings 35.

In another embodiment, the barrier 50 provides a fine net 52 of 1 mm (millimeter) disposed within each mesh opening 35, as illustrated in FIG. 6, thereby reducing the continuous opening/surface area of the mesh opening 35 further. Providing additional protection against the high winds penetrating the barrier 50. The fine net 52 may be sheet thereof generally coextensive with the peripheral portion 70 thereof.

In certain embodiments, the barrier 60 may provide spaced apart grommets 66 along the peripheral portion 70, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In use, the spaced apart grommets 66 may operatively align with the mounting holes 18 provided along the building 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thereby, through the use of removable fasteners, the barrier 60 can be draped over a building opening 17 and then removably connected thereto via the fasteners simultaneously engaging the mounting holes 18 and the grommets 66. Likewise, the barrier 60 may be removed through the reverse process when no longer needed. The peripheral portion 70 may include a border webbing 68 having a width that is three to six times the width of the individual webbing 46 that comprises the lattice arrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wind barrier system, comprising: a barrier comprising a plurality of webbing forming a lattice arrangement defining a plurality of web openings, each web opening having a surface area between one and four square centimeters.
 2. The wind barrier system of claim 1, wherein each webbing comprises a high-strength polymer.
 3. The wind barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of peripheral portions defining a periphery of the barrier; each peripheral portion comprising: a pocket provided at both distal ends of at least a third the plurality of webbing; and a cable slidably engaged through each pocket.
 4. The wind barrier system of claim 3, wherein the peripheral portion provides four corners, each corner defined by an intersection of two of the plurality of peripheral portions; and further comprising a corner connector engaging the cable at each corner.
 5. The wind barrier system of claim 4, further comprising a corner attachment operatively associated with each corner connector; each corner attachment extending between a first end connecting to the corner connector and a second end adapted to attach to a supporting structure.
 6. The wind barrier system of claim 4, further comprising at least one diagonal webbing element extending between catty-corner corners, wherein each diagonal webbing element is joined to the plurality of webbing, and wherein each diagonal webbing element provides a sleeve engaging the corner connector.
 7. The wind barrier system of claim 4, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a border webbing having a border width that is three to six times a width of each of the plurality of webbing that substantially comprises the lattice arrangement.
 8. The wind barrier system of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of grommets spaced apart along the peripheral portion.
 9. The wind barrier system of claim 1, further comprising one millimeter netting disposed within a majority all web openings.
 10. A wind barrier system, comprising: a barrier comprising a plurality of high-strength polymer webbing defining a lattice arrangement comprising a plurality of web openings, each web opening having a surface area between one and four square centimeters; a plurality of peripheral portions defining a periphery of the barrier; each peripheral portion comprising: four corners, each corner defined by an intersection of two of the plurality of peripheral portions; and border webbing having a border width that is three to six times a width of each of the plurality of webbing that substantially comprises the lattice arrangement; a corner attachment operatively associated with each corner; each corner attachment extending between a first end connecting to the corner and a second end adapted to attach to a supporting structure; at least one diagonal webbing element extending between catty-corner corners, wherein each diagonal webbing element is joined to the plurality of webbing, and wherein each diagonal webbing element provides a sleeve engaging the corner attachment; and a plurality of grommets spaced apart along the peripheral portion.
 11. The wind barrier system of claim 10, further comprising one millimeter netting disposed within a majority all web openings.
 12. A method of protecting an opening of a structure in a high-wind environment, comprising: fixing at least two structural anchors to the structure, each structural anchor disposed adjacent to opposing upper ends of the opening; providing the wind barrier system of claim 10; and attaching at least two second ends to the at least two structural anchors, respectively.
 13. The method of 12, further providing mounting holes outward along the opening they align and engage to substantially all of the grommets. 